A Flower Among The Projects

September 21, 1985|By Frank Johnson.

CHICAGO — We read so many negative things about CHA projects that one begins to believe that they are all hotbeds of crime, street gang hangouts and dirty, unkempt buildings and grounds. This is not so.

It should be publicized that there are some CHA projects that are well kept, well managed and with very little crime. One in particular is the Hilliards at 22d and State Streets. Not only are the buildings an unusual design but the entire complex is well kept and clean, so much so that a very amusing and ironic thing happened a few days ago.

A series called ``Lady Blue`` was being filmed on the grounds of the Hilliards. Because the area was so clean, movie crews had to paint graffiti on the walls and strew trash around to make it look like most people`s conception of a CHA housing project.

Residents of the Hilliards are proud of their homes, and they get sick and tired of being stereotyped by people who believe that all CHA projects are the same.